Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead growth, admissions, and operations for a nursery group while ensuring high educational standards.
- Company: A Froebelian-inspired nursery with a Christian ethos, dedicated to exceptional early years education.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development support, and a values-led work environment.
- Why this job: Shape the future of early years education in a supportive and dynamic setting.
- Qualifications: Leadership experience in early years operations and knowledge of EYFS and Ofsted frameworks required.
- Other info: Opportunity to expand from one site to multiple nurseries, making a real impact.
The predicted salary is between 47000 - 57000 £ per year.
Location: East Molesey
Reporting To: Owner / Director
Contract Type: Full-Time
Salary: Competitive, based on experience
About Us: We are a single-site, Froebelian-inspired nursery with a Christian ethos, dedicated to providing exceptional early years education. As we prepare to expand to 2–3 sites, we are seeking a dynamic and experienced Head of Growth, Admissions and Operations to lead this growth while upholding operational excellence and educational quality.
Role Overview: This leadership role will oversee the strategic and operational development of our nursery group. You will guide our expansion journey and ensure high standards across each setting, focusing on three key areas:
- Business Development
- Operations
- Admissions
- Team Leadership & Engagement
Key Responsibilities:
- Business Development
- Conduct market research, site assessments, and feasibility studies to identify new opportunities.
- Lead the growth from a single-site setting to a small group of 2–3 high-quality nurseries.
- Oversee onboarding and integration of new settings into the group embedding our processes and systems.
- Develop and implement marketing strategies to drive sustained enrollment growth and ensure full occupancy.
- General Operations
- Ensure efficient, day-to-day management of nursery sites, including administration, facilities, and regulatory compliance.
- Maintain and improve operational systems and processes to uphold excellence, efficiency and consistency across the Nursery(s).
- Lead Ofsted readiness across sites to achieve Outstanding ratings.
- Support the Nursery office team with event planning and logistics.
- Admissions
- Manage the admissions pipeline with the Nursery office to achieve strong conversion rates and ensure settings operate at full occupancy.
- Ensure a consistently excellent experience for prospective and current families, aiming for 5-star feedback and high levels of parent satisfaction.
- Team Leadership & Engagement
- Promote a positive, professional, and values-led culture with strong staff retention.
- Champion safeguarding, well-being, and the Christian and Froebelian ethos across all areas of the nursery.
- HR support and recruitment support where needed.
Person Specification:
Essential
- Proven leadership experience in multi-site nursery or early years operations.
- Track record of successful business development or nursery expansion.
- In-depth knowledge of EYFS, Ofsted frameworks, and safeguarding regulations.
- Strong skills in team leadership, admissions strategy, and operational delivery.
- Excellent interpersonal, communication, and strategic decision-making skills.
- Highly organised with an attention to detail and a strong decision maker.
Desirable
- Understanding of Froebelian, play-based, or child-led education approaches.
- Relevant qualification in Early Years Education, Leadership, or Business Management.
- Experience working in a Christian or values-based educational setting.
What We Offer:
- A pivotal leadership role in a growing early years organisation.
- Opportunity to shape the strategic direction and ethos of the nursery group.
- Supportive, values-led environment with a commitment to your professional development.
- Competitive salary and benefits package.
Salary of £55,000–£65,000 per annum, depending on experience. Additional benefits package and growth potential as we expand.
HEAD OF GROWTH, ADMISSIONS AND OPERATIONS employer: Odin Recruitment
Contact Detail:
Odin Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land HEAD OF GROWTH, ADMISSIONS AND OPERATIONS
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the early years education sector. Attend relevant conferences or workshops where you can meet potential colleagues and industry leaders. This will not only help you gain insights into the role but also make valuable connections that could support your application.
✨Tip Number 2
Research the Froebelian approach and Christian ethos that the nursery embodies. Understanding these philosophies will allow you to align your vision with theirs, demonstrating your commitment to their values during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of your past successes in business development and operational management. Highlighting measurable outcomes from previous roles will showcase your capability to lead growth effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Familiarise yourself with the EYFS and Ofsted frameworks, as well as current trends in early years education. Being knowledgeable about these areas will position you as a strong candidate who is ready to uphold and enhance the nursery's standards.
We think you need these skills to ace HEAD OF GROWTH, ADMISSIONS AND OPERATIONS
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in leadership, business development, and operations within early years education. Use specific examples that demonstrate your success in multi-site management and admissions strategies.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that reflects your passion for early years education and your understanding of the Froebelian ethos. Clearly outline how your skills and experiences align with the key responsibilities of the role, particularly in business development and team leadership.
Showcase Relevant Achievements: In both your CV and cover letter, include quantifiable achievements that showcase your ability to drive growth and improve operational efficiency. For example, mention any successful projects that led to increased enrolment or improved Ofsted ratings.
Proofread and Edit: Before submitting your application, thoroughly proofread your documents for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism, which are crucial for this leadership role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Odin Recruitment
✨Showcase Your Leadership Experience
Be prepared to discuss your previous leadership roles, especially in multi-site nursery or early years operations. Highlight specific examples where you successfully led teams and drove growth, as this is crucial for the Head of Growth position.
✨Demonstrate Knowledge of EYFS and Ofsted
Familiarise yourself with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and Ofsted frameworks. Be ready to explain how you have applied this knowledge in past roles to ensure compliance and achieve high ratings, as this will be a key responsibility.
✨Prepare for Business Development Questions
Expect questions about your experience in business development and nursery expansion. Prepare to discuss market research, feasibility studies, and successful marketing strategies you've implemented to drive enrolment growth.
✨Emphasise Cultural Fit and Values
Since the nursery has a Christian ethos and Froebelian-inspired approach, be sure to express your alignment with these values. Share experiences that demonstrate your commitment to a positive, values-led culture and how you would promote this within the team.
